To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed the entire object, paste this HTML in websiteTo link to this page, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed this page, paste this HTML in website

PLANNING DEPARTMENT REVIEW
SPECIAL COMMITTEE
FINAL REPORT
In the Budget Message accompanying the FY99 Financial Plan, the Town Administrator
called for the creation of " a Special Committee to develop a comprehensive plan for
staff transition and possible organizational change" in the Planning Department. This
call was precipitated by the announcement of Planning Director Jay Woodward to retire
by July 1, 1999. The prospect of Department Head transition in this area of vital
importance creates an opportunity to review how the Town's planning, housing, and
development functions are organized.
The Board of Selectmen subsequently authorized the creation of a special Planning
Department Review Committee. Its members are:
Joseph Geller Chairman, Board of Selectmen
Donald Weitzman Selectman
Roger Blood Chairman, Housing Advisory Board
Robert DeVries Chairman, Planning Board
Patricia Libby Chairman, Preservation Commission
Richard Leary Former Town Administrator
Robert Sperber, Co-Chair, Economic Development Advisory Board
Robert Stein Committee on Town Organization and Structure
Richard Kelliher Town Administrator
The following is the Committee's unanimous report, with unanimously recommended
By-Law language attached.
FACT-FINDING
The Committee met seven times from March 25, 1998 to September 2, 1998. At its
organizational session the Committee decided to engage in an extensive fact-finding
effort. Three meetings (detailed below) were devoted to this purpose. The remaining
meetings concentrated on discussion of organizational concepts and development of
corresponding By-Law language.
Fact-finding was directed at gathering perspectives from Town staff and also from Town
Boards and Commissions involved with planning, but not represented on the Committee.
Fact-finding was also extended to the review of other municipal planning models through
a panel discussion with professionals from other jurisdictions. During this period,
Committee members were provided with extensive background materials including
statutes, by-laws, annual reports, budgets, and organizational tables from Brookline and
other cities and towns.

User has an obligation to determine copyright or other use restrictions prior to publication or distribution. Please contact the archives at reference@ajhsboston.org or 617-226-1245 for more information.

User has an obligation to determine copyright or other use restrictions prior to publication or distribution. Please contact the archives at reference@ajhsboston.org or 617-226-1245 for more information.

Language

English

Transcript

PLANNING DEPARTMENT REVIEW
SPECIAL COMMITTEE
FINAL REPORT
In the Budget Message accompanying the FY99 Financial Plan, the Town Administrator
called for the creation of " a Special Committee to develop a comprehensive plan for
staff transition and possible organizational change" in the Planning Department. This
call was precipitated by the announcement of Planning Director Jay Woodward to retire
by July 1, 1999. The prospect of Department Head transition in this area of vital
importance creates an opportunity to review how the Town's planning, housing, and
development functions are organized.
The Board of Selectmen subsequently authorized the creation of a special Planning
Department Review Committee. Its members are:
Joseph Geller Chairman, Board of Selectmen
Donald Weitzman Selectman
Roger Blood Chairman, Housing Advisory Board
Robert DeVries Chairman, Planning Board
Patricia Libby Chairman, Preservation Commission
Richard Leary Former Town Administrator
Robert Sperber, Co-Chair, Economic Development Advisory Board
Robert Stein Committee on Town Organization and Structure
Richard Kelliher Town Administrator
The following is the Committee's unanimous report, with unanimously recommended
By-Law language attached.
FACT-FINDING
The Committee met seven times from March 25, 1998 to September 2, 1998. At its
organizational session the Committee decided to engage in an extensive fact-finding
effort. Three meetings (detailed below) were devoted to this purpose. The remaining
meetings concentrated on discussion of organizational concepts and development of
corresponding By-Law language.
Fact-finding was directed at gathering perspectives from Town staff and also from Town
Boards and Commissions involved with planning, but not represented on the Committee.
Fact-finding was also extended to the review of other municipal planning models through
a panel discussion with professionals from other jurisdictions. During this period,
Committee members were provided with extensive background materials including
statutes, by-laws, annual reports, budgets, and organizational tables from Brookline and
other cities and towns.